Finding Gold in the State of Washington

Entries Tagged ‘Columbia River’

Since 1902 there have been 204 lode gold mines and 21 placer mines in Stevens County. Most of the total production of 52,145 ounces of gold came from the lode mines in Stevens County. The Columbia River contains placer gold over its entire length through the county. The bench placers were very rich also along the Columbia River.

Aladdin

West of Aladdin, on the J.W. Scott Ranch, in Section 6 T37N R41E is the Scott Mine, which produced lode gold.

Arden

Out of Arden 2.5 miles, in the SE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of section 34 T35N R39E, is the Rocky Lake Mine, which consisted of 8 claims for lode gold in base metal ores.

Bluecreek

Northwest 1.5 miles from Bluecreek in SE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of section 34, T35N R39E, is the Krug (Hartford) Mine. It consisted of 10 claims which produced mostly copper, but minor lode gold. Southwest from Bluecreek 2.5 miles in N 1/2 of NE 1/2 of section 2 T32N R39E, is the Liberty Copper Mine, which consisted of 6 claims for lode gold, copper and silver.

Bossburg

South of Bossburg 5 miles in section 22 T37N R38E, is the Sandoz Placer, which was very productive. Between Bossburg and Marcus, on the east side of the Columbia River, in sections 16 and 21 T37N R38E, is the Valbush Bar Placers.

Boyds

Outside of Boyds 2 miles, in NW 1/4 section 3 T37N R37E is the Napoleon Mine, which produced lode gold as a by product of its copper and iron production.

Cedonia

Northeast of Cedonia 10.5 miles and about .25 miles north of the Addy-Bissell Road, in the Southwest corner of section 19 T32N R38E, is the Columbia Tungsten Mine. This was a Tungsten mine, but also produced gold, silver, molybdenum and zinc.

Chewelah

East of Chewelah 1.5 miles, in north part of section 7 T32N R41E, is the Chewelah Standard Mine. Out of Chewelah 6 miles near center N 1/4 section 32 T33N R41E, is the Chinto Mine. West of Chewelah 18 miles, is the Belle of the Mountain Mine and the Blue Belle Mine. There are very many other mines in the Kaniksu National Forest.

Daisy

Out of Daisy 2.5 miles along the Columbia River is the Collins Placer Mine.

Evans

Near Evans, in sections 29 and 32 T39N R39E, is the Nobles Placer Mine. Out of Evans 1.5 miles and 1,000 feet East of Highway 22, in section 15 and 22 T37N R38E, is the Gold Bar Mine.

Kettle Falls

East of Kettle Falls 1 mile is the Gold Hill Mine. In the SW 1/4 section 16 T36N R38E, is the City View Mine. Northeast of Kettle Falls 2 miles in the S 1/2 of the SE 1/4 section 7, the Sunday Mine. In the SW 1/4 of the SE 1/4 section 9, on top of hill, is the Gold Reef Mine. In the SW 1/4 section 4, is the Gold Ledge Mine. Out of Kettle Falls 6 miles, below town in section 29 T35N R37E, is the Holsten Placer. South a little farther and 1 mile off Highway 22, near center N 1/2 section 11, the Ark Mine is located.

Loon Lake

North of Loon Lake by 6 miles, near the center of section 33 T31N R41E is the Loon Lake Copper Mine. This mine produced copper with minor gold and silver production.

Northport

In the area north along the Columbia River to the Canadian line is the Evans Placer. The Evans Placer camp in on the west bank of reservoir just north of town. The Evans Placer was a lease of 5 miles along the east shore which produced abundant placer gold form rich deposits. On Onion Creek, is the Alice May Mine. West of Northport 1 mile on Sheep Creek, in section 25 T40N R39E, is the St. Crispin Mine. Southeast of Northport 3 miles, on the North side of Fish Creek, in SW 1/4 section 16 T39N R40E is the Northport Mine. Near the road in NW 1/4 of the SE 1/4 section 7 T40N R40E is the Elvick Mine.

Orient

The Orient district, in the far northwest corner of the county, between Latitude 48 degrees 50 minutes and 48 degrees 56 minutes N and Longitude 118 degrees and 5 minutes and 118 degrees and 10 minutes W formed in 1902 formed in 1902 with 86 mines currently listed in T39 and 40 N R36 and 37 E. The total production of the Orient district is listed at 45,057 ounces.

Rockcut

East of Rockcut 1 mile, on flat bench in section 1 T39N R36E, is the Abe Lincoln Mine, which produced lode gold with copper. Out of town 4 miles, near the center of section 19 T40N R37E, is the White Elephant Mine. Northeast of town 5 miles, in section 19 and 30 T40N R37E, is the F.H. and C. (Faith, Hope and Charity) Mine.

Springdale

Out of Springdale 2 miles, on Douglas Mountain, in sections 11 and 12 T31N R39E, is the Dumbolton Mine, which produced lode gold with mercury and tin. On the East slope of Huckleberry Range near the summit, in NW 1/4 of the NE 1/4 section 36 T31N R38E, is the Wells Fargo Mine, this mine primarily produced antimony, but lode gold, lead, silver and zinc were by products.

Valley

West of Valley 9 miles and 1 mile North, in SE 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of section 9, T31N R39E, is the Edna Mine.

Okanogan county is a large and remote county that offers an abundance of potential for the recreational prospector. Placer gold was discovered in this county in 1859 on the Similkameen River. The lode mines soon followed near Conconully in 1871. The total production recored for this county was around 100,000 ounces, but many ounces were not recored.

Bridgeport

East of Bridgeport, on the north side of the Columbia River, in the NW 1/4 of section 10 T29N R25E, is the Shotwell Placer Mine. This was a very large placer area, that produced fine gold from terrace gravels around 100 feet above the river.

Carlton

Northeast of Carlton 3.5 miles up Leecher Creek, in the NW 1/4 section 23 T32N R22E, is the Minnie Mine. It consisted of 4 claims for lode gold with silver and zinc in a pyrite ore.

Chesaw

In the Myers Creek District, T40N R30E, there was a total production of around 10,000 ounces, between 1888 and 1959. Near the center of the NW 1/4 section 21, is the Eagle Mine, which was a major lode gold producer. Near the center of the W 1/2 of section 35, is the Crystall Butte Mine. This mine consisted of 6 claims that produced lead, silver and zinc with a by product of gold. In the SW 1/4 section 16, is the Reco Mine. In sections 21 and 22, is the Chesaw Mine, which used open cuts to mine lode gold. On Mary Ann Creek, the Mary Ann Creek Placer, 14 claims, gold from surface to bedrock in this area. In SW 1/4 of SE 1/4 section 11 T40N R29E, is the Poland China Mine, 11 claims for lode gold. On Deadman Creek, is the Deadman Creek Placer mine which produced gold from creek bedrock all the way up to 250 feet above the stream in terrace gravels. This is said to be a rich creek.

Colville Indian Agency

West along the Columbia River, near Katar, is the Gold Bar Placer. It was said to be very productive. In seciton 11 T30N R28E, is the Murray Placer, it was intermittantly worked until 1950′s. Along the Nespelem river, the Nespelem Placer Mine was also productive.

Conconully

One mile below Conconully on the Salmon River, is the Ballard Placer Mine. On the north side of Sinlahekin Creek, near the NE corner of section 20 T37N R25E, is the Okanogan Copper Mine, which can be accessed by a trail. It produced lode gold and copper.

Gilbert

Just north of Gilbert, in section 11 T34N R18E is the Pay Day Mine. It produced lode gold along with copper and silver.

Loomis

A half mile nort of Loomis, in NE 1/4 of NE 1/4 of section 1 T38N R25E, is the location of the Palmer Mountain Tunnel. It consisted of 56 base metal claims with a by product of gold. Take the road to old Ghost town of Golden, West .5 miles, in NE 1/4 section 10 T39N R26E, is the Triune Mine, which produced lode gold, copper, lead and silver. North of Loomis 3 miles on Palmer Lake Road, in SW 1/4 section 19 R39N R26E, is the Pinnacle Mine. If you go North to Palmer Lake, on Palmer Mountain, in NE 1/4 section 36 T39N R25E, is the Black Bear Mine and on the west slope of Palmer Mountain is the Bunker Hill mine, which was a very rich lode mine. Near the SW corner of section 19 T39N R26E, is the Leadville Mine and half mile to the east, i the N 1/2 of section 6, is the Empire Mine. Between Palmer Mountain and Wannacut Lake, in the NE 1/4 section 22 T39N R26E, is the Rainbow Mine, which produced free milling gold with pyrite. In the SW part of section 33 T40N R26E, is the Bullfrog Mine. West of the Bullfrog, by 3 miles, in section 5 T38N R25E, is the Gold Hill Mine. In the Chopaka area, in the SW 1/4 section 32 T40N R25E, you will find the Gold Crown Mine. There are many mines in this area.

Malott

East of Malott by 3 miles in S 1/2 of NW 1/4 os section 22 T32N R25E, is the Rustler Mine. It produced lode gold and molybdenum.

Mazama

Northwest of Mazama 3 miles in the SE 1/4 section 14 T36N R19E, is the Mazama Queen Mine. It had a 5 stamp mill on site. In T36N R20E, half mile north of Mazama, in the N 1/2 of section 30, is the Mazama Pride Mine. One Mile northeast of town, on cliff in SE 1/4 section 30, is the American Flag Mine. It is reached 1.5 mile by road or .5 mile by trail. Near the NW corner os section 30, is the Gold Key Mine. Five miles from town on the Goat Creek Road, is the Imperial Mine, in the NW 1/4 section 16 and the Rosalind Mine in the N 1/2 of section 17.

Methow

The Methow district, 9 miles above the mouth of the Methow River, produced around 17,000 ounces of gold. Most of the gold was produced between 1932 and 1959. On the northeast slope of Hunter Mountain, in the E 1/2 sections 12 and 13 and the W 1/2 sections 7 and 18 T30N R22E, is the Methow Mine. Quarter mile east of the Methow River in SW 1/4 of NW 1/4 section 18 T30N R23E, is the Roosevelt Mine. On the South fork of Gold Creek, in section 25 T31N R21E, is the Bolinger Mine.

Nighthawk

Nighthawk is northwest of Oroville and 2 miles South of Canada. At the base of Mount Chopaka, near the SE corner of section 7 T40N R25E, is the Golden Zone Mine.

Oroville

Around 25,000 ounces of placer gold was produced in the Oroville district. Along the Similkameen River in river bars and terrace gravels placer gold is found in abundance. Several nice nuggets have been produced.

Park City

North of Park City 1.5 miles on Strawberry Creek, in S 1/2 section 35, T34N R31E, is the Crounse Placer. It was very productive.

Pateros

In SW 1/4 section 20 T30N R23E, is the Friday Mine on Methow Creek. Near headwaters of Squaw Creek, on north side of valley near NE corner section 17, T30N R22E, is the Chelan Mine. Northwest of Pateros by 5 miles on the east side of the Methow River, is the Sullivan Mine.

Twisp

Out of Twisp 4 miles in S 1/2 of section 13 and the N 1/2 os section 24 T33N R21E, is the Twisp View Mine. In sections 25, 26, 35 and 36 is the Alder Mine. In the SE 1/4 section 18 T33N R22E, is the Rattlesnake Mine. On the lowere west slope of Pole Pick Hill, in SE 1/4 section 18 T33N R23E, is the Red shirt Mine.

The area along the Columbia River from the Grand Coulee Dam to Lincoln, in all low water river gravel bars and upper terrace gravels contain placer gold. It is usually very fine, but abundant. On the east side of the Columbia River in sections 12 and 13 T27N R35E, is the location of the China Bar Placer Mine. It consisted of 260 acres and was worked on terrace and river gravels. At the SE 1/4 of NE 1/4 of section 8 T28N R33E, is the location of the Clark Placer Mine. It was very productive and extensively worked in the late 1930′s. Opposite the mouth of the Sanpoil River, in the east 1/2 of section 8, is the Keller Ferry Placer mine, it is said to have abundant fine gold. I the south 1/2 of section 9, is the Winkelman Bar Placer and it too had fine gold reported in abundant quantities.

Creston Ferry

Creston Ferry is located in section 2 of T27N R34E and The Creston Ferry Placer was working a river bench deposit, before 1910. This area is said to be rich with very fine micron placer gold.

Davenport

A few miles above Sanpoil is the Hell Gate and Peach Bars. They contain very fine placer gold deposits. Northeast of Davenport about 10 miles, in Mill Canyon , is the Iron Crown Mine, It was 5 claims of lode gold with copper. North of Davenport 20 miles, in steep valley on the northwest side of Pitney Butte, in the SW 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of section 32 T28N R37E, is the location of the Fouress Mine. It was 5 claims that were primarily for copper, lead, silver and zinc, but had a by product of gold.

Grand Coulee Dam

The Grand Coulee Dam is in Ferry County, but if you go east 15 miles to Lincoln county you will find the Latta and Phillips placers. They worked the terrace gravels for placer gold.

Plum

East of the Grand Coulee, .5 miles below ferry at Swawilla, in section 7 T28N R33E, is the Barnell Placer Mine. In 1938 it produced from $300 to $400 a week when gold was $20 an ounce.

Electric City

East of Electric City by .5 miles, in section 14 T28N R30E at the foot of the east wall of Grand Coolee, is the location of The Electric City Mine. It was a beryllium, bismuth, molybdenum and silver mine that had a by-product of a small amount of gold. In the southwest corner of section 14, in floor of Grande Coolee, is the Hope No. 1 Mine.

George

In section 22 R18N T23E, southeast of George, to the Columbia River, in the gravel and terrace along the Columbia River you can find placer gold.

Priest Rapids

In sections 10 and 11 T13N R24E, in the far southwest corner of Grant county, near toll bridge junction of route 24 and 243, is the Chinaman’s Bar Placers. The river gravels yield placer gold.

From 1896 until 1959 Ferry County produced a minimum of 839,000 ounces of gold. Most of that came from the Republic district, with about 6,000 ounces coming from the Danville District and Columbia River Placer Mines. From 1904 until 1928 Ferry County lead Washington in total production of gold. There were 164 lode mines and 35 placer mines in Ferry County.

Aeneas

South of Aeneas, to Lyman Lake, is where you will find the Crown Point Mine. It was a very productive lode gold mine.

Belcher

13 miles northeast of Republic is Belcher district. Northeast of Belcher 1 mile, you will find the Belcher Mine. It produced lode gold, copper, and iron. 1 mile west of that, in section 31 T38N R34E, you will find the Winnipeg Mine. It was a lode gold, copper and iron mine. Near the center of the E 1/2 of section 18, is the Pin Money Mine, which produced gold, silver, copper, nickel and cobalt. In the NE 1/4 of section 6, is the Hawkeye Mine, it produced gold, copper, silver and iron.

Covada

Near the mouth of Stray Dog Creek, in section 12 T31N R36E, is the Blue Bar Placer mine in the Columbia River. It is annually renewed with flour gold. On the Columbia River 2 miles above the Blue Bar, near Turtle Rapids, is the Turtle Rapids Placer Mine. It consisted of a terrace 60 feet above highwater line for several miles along the Columbia River. The paystreak was several inches thick and was worked by Chinese Miners. East of that in section 6 T31N R37E, on a Columbia River Bar, is the Thompson Placer Mine.

Curlew

Curlew is located northeast of Republic. Near the N 1/4 section 6 T39N R34E is the Panama Mine. This produced lode gold, with silver, copper, lead and zinc.

Danville

On Big Goosmus Creek, is the Goosmus Creek Placer Mine. It was very productive along a narrow creek bottom. South of that 3 miles, is the Danville Mine, it was a rich lode mine. On the east side of Kettle Creek, in SW 1/4 section 16 T40N R34E, is the Morning Star Mine. It consisted of 10 claims, producing gold, pyrite, copper and tungsten.

Gerome

Near Gerome, on the North Bank of the Columbia River, in section 4 T29N R36E, is the Wilmont Bar Placer. It consisted of 2 terraces 20 feet and 100 feet above the river. It had abundant placer gold, cerium and thorium.

Grand Coulee Dam

6 miles upriver from the Grand Coulee Dam, on the north side, in section 17 T28N R32E, is the plum Bar Placer. It was worked heavily in 1938-39.

Hunters

From Hunters down the Columbia River 2 miles, on the west bank, in section 23 T30N R36E is the location of the Rogers Bar Placer. It consisted of 1,500 acres and 3.5 mile long. There were rich terraces 30, 75 and 100 feet above the river. In the area all low water bars contain placer gold and platinum.

Keller

East of Keller, to the Columbia River, via dirt road, near the mouth of Ninemile Creek, probably in section 16 T29N R25E, is the location of the Ninemile Placer. The terrace deposits 30 and 100 feet above the river produced well. The paystreak in each lever 1-3 feet thick produced flake gold. The Chinese Miners worked this in the early days. Southeast to the Columbia River on a road 3 miles above the mouth of the Spokane River, in section 11 T25N R35E, is the Threemile Placer. It produced flour gold and large very thin flakes. At the mouth of Sixmile Creek, 6 miles above the Spokane River, in section 34, is the Sixmile placer, which produced flour and flake gold.

Meteor

North of Meteor 3 miles, in the NW 1/4 section 5 T32N R36E, is the Gold Twenty Mine. It was a lode gold mine that also produced lead and silver.

Nespelem

Along the Columbia River, between the mouths of the Nespelem and Kettle rivers to the south and east of Grand Coulee Dam, there is gold in all bars and terrace gravels.

Peach

Opposite Peach, on the north side of the Columbia River, in section 15 and 16 T27N R35E, is the Kirby Bar Placers. Between town and the mouth of the Spokane River, the Large Island in the Columbia River, is the Peach Island Placer Mine. It had very productive gravel.

Republic

The Republic district, which is 25 miles south of Canada, is the most consistent gold producer in Washington State. It had a total recorded production of 836,393 gold ounces from 1896-1959. SW of Republic .5 miles, is the Republic Mine. It consisted of 13 patented claims that produced lode gold, silver and selenium. A half mile out further, in S 1/2 of SW 1/4 of section 34 T37N R32E, is the Morning Glory Mine. Southwest 1 mile near the base of the east slope of Copper Mountain, near Center of section 12 T36N R32E, is the Princess Maude Mine. In Section 4, the Alva Stout Placer Mine is located. Northwest 1 mile near the west line of NW 1/4 section 35 T37N R32E is the Insurgent Mine and adjoining on the east, the Lone Pine Mine. The Last Chance Mine is close by. On the east side of Eureka Gulch, near SW 1/4 section 35, is the Quilp Mine. Northwest 2 miles on west side of Eureka Gulch, on line between sections 34 and 27 T37N R32E, is the Ben-Hur Mines, which were all lode mines. In the same area is the Day Mine, which had 92 patented claims. At the head of Eureka Gulch in the W 1/2 of SE 1/4 of section 27, is the Knob Hill Mine, which was 13 patented claims. In 1960 the Knob Hill Mine was the most productive mine in America.

Marengo

If you go south by southeast of Marengo, in the SW 1/4 of the NE 1/4 in section 3 T9n R41E, near the north end of the Hoffeditz farm, you will find the Hoffeditz mine. It is about 200 feet above the Columbia River and was a lode mine.

Brush Prairie

In this area of Clark County in Washington it is reported that in all black sand deposits there is placer gold.

Camas

It is reported that in the Columbia River at low water gravel bars placer gold can be found.

Moulton

East of Moulton 4 miles, on the East Fork of the Lewis River, in Section 21 T4N R4E is the location of the McMunn Placer. This area produced gold and platinum. The terrace gravel deposits above the stream only produce place gold. If you go 5 miles east on the Lewis River Road, 1 mile above the McMunn Claim, The Lewis River Placer can be found. The access road is up the East Fork of the Lewis River. Gold can be found in all black sand deposits on the Lewis River.

In Benton County, Washington all low water sand and gravel bars in the Columbia River contain placer gold. On the north bank of the Columbia River in section 1, T5N, R28E and in section 6, T5N, R29E, The Berrian Island (Goody) Placer Mine, consisted of four separate operations, but was decent in production.

Alderdale

In a deserted channel of the Columbia River, east of Alderdale by four miles, is the Artesian Coulee Placer that covers several miles of gold prospects. It can be found in section 6, T4N, R24E.

Burbank

Along the Snake River, northeast of Burbank above its junction with the Columbia River, in the low water sand and gravel bars, Washington gold can be found in the form of placer desposits.

Patterson

In the Columbia River, near Patterson is the location of the Blalock Island Placer Mine. It was three separate operations. Also the Gone Busted Placer is two operations, with dry land washing plant, operated from 1938-1940 for placer gold.

Prosser

In SW 1/4 section 33, T9N R25E, is the location of the Prosser Mine. Just go east of Prosser three miles. The mine is located on the south side of highway, which was a lode gold producer.

Berrian Island Placer / Goody Placer

Located in Benton County Washington in Section 1, 528E, and section 6, 529E is the Berrian Island Placers ( also known as the Goody Placer) on the north banks of the Columbia River. Here you kind find fine flour gold. Here the J.G. Shotwell aggregate plant operated. Low grade concentrates were recovered. The plant last operated for six weeks in 1949.

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